Around the world in finance news

THE Australian dollar has drifted lower overnight as investors await inflation data and comments from Reserve Bank officials.

At 0630 AEST on Tuesday, the local currency was trading at 93.77 US cents, down from 93.92 cents on Monday.

And the Australian share market looks set to open lower after Wall Street fell as geopolitical worries weigh on sentiment. At 0645 AEST on Tuesday, the September share price index futures contract was down eight points at 5,492.

ELSEWHERE:

BERLIN — The International Monetary Fund has raised its forecast for Germany’s growth, shrugging off concerns of a slowdown in the eurozone’s largest economy.

LONDON — British authorities have launched a criminal probe into allegations of price rigging in foreign exchange markets, the Serious Fraud Office says.

JOHANNESBURG — Top global producer Anglo American Platinum says it will offload some of its South African mines after a debilitating five-month wage strike which cut annual production by 40 per cent.

IRVINE, California — Botox-maker Allergan says it is cutting about 13 per cent of its workforce, or roughly 1500 employees, as part of a push to become more efficient and productive.

FRANKFURT — Karl Albrecht, one of the co-founders of discount supermarket chain Aldi and one of Germany’s richest men, has died aged 94.